MIDI Kinetics has announced that Lemur – the pioneering touchscreen control application – is now available again.
Originally introduced as a hardware touchscreen controller by JazzMutant, Lemur was reborn as an iPad app in 2011. After a few years of being unavailable, MIDI Kinetics has brought Lemur back.
Lemur lets you build custom touchscreen MIDI controllers, using a deep collection of pre-built ‘widgets’, custom-designed widgets and imported images. Lemur can control up to 8 MIDI ports, for up to 128 channels of high speed MIDI control.
Lemur is available again as a subscription-based app. MIDI Kinetics says that the new model is needed for continued development of Lemur to be sustainable.
“We want Lemur to remain a professional-grade tool, not relegated to the status of a hobby project eventually to be abandoned, and this change will help us achieve that goal,” they note.
The official video intro:
Lemur is available now as a free download, with subscription pricing of $12.99/month or $99/year. Visit the MK site for details and info for existing owners.
Midi-2-the-Max has introduced M2TM Commands, a MIDI editing plugin for Ableton Live 12 Suite Edition or Standard with Max-for-Live support.
M2TM Commands provides nearly 30 advanced commands for MIDI edit
Here’s what they the developer has to say about it:
“M2TM Commands equips producers with an arsenal of tools to streamline their workflow.
Merge adjacent notes, strip out rests, or enforce monophonic lines — all with just a click. For those looking to push the creative envelope, commands for reversing, shuffling, randomizing, and rotating note properties like pitch and velocity unlock new possibilities for unique MIDI patterns.
Beyond individual notes, M2TM Commands delivers unmatched flexibility for shaping entire Live sets. Whether you’re harmonizing melodies, generating complex chords with auto-inversions, or applying consistent transformations across multiple clips, this plugin makes it effortless. Features like semitone transposition, automatic clip renaming, and advanced harmonization options ensure that every detail of your composition is handled with ease.
Compatible with Ableton Live 12 Suite Edition or Standard with Max-for-Live, M2TM Commands fills the gaps in Live’s native editing features, saving time and unlocking creativity for music producers of all genres.”
Hot on the heels of last year’s fifth major iteration, Arturia has kicked off 2025 with another considerable update to its sound design powerhouse Pigments.
Arturia has released Pigments 6, a major update to their flagship software synthesizer.
Pigments 6 introduces a wealth of new features, namely a Modal engine, a vocoder, a platter of new filters and modulators and a refined user experience. Overall, Pigments now sports six synthesis types, an expansive modulation system, a palette of effects and a tightened-up, intuitive control system.
One of the most significant additions to the mix is Pigments 6’s new Modal engine. This system collates what Arturia describe as ‘physically-inspired’ tones and interactions such as collisions or friction-based simulations. The system incorporates a wealth of starting points, including delicate plucked strings and warm, resonant pads.
The brand-new vocoder allows users to distort and modulate their voice beyond all recognition, or to add some more subtle colours. External vocal (or other instrument) input blending is possible or you can choose to use it in conjunction with Pigments’ own engines.
The new filters come in the shape of an analog-centered Multimode V2, Cluster filter (to stimulate kinetic textures), and LoFi to generate those worn-out tones that are still highly en vogue.
Here’s the official video Pigments 6 update overview:
Further improvements come via the all-new modulators – varieties of which can be assigned to different voices with different modulation values. This is a big benefit for sculpting curves, adding deeper ‘randomness’ and tightly-locked automation to mix elements.
Granular improvements allow users to scan through samples mid-playback to concoct time-stretched atmospherics, random grain playback for each note and expansive adjustment controls.
Couple these improvements with a general tightening-up of the UI (improved file browser and polished light theme) and this latest evolution of Pigments’ seems like an absorbing and option-packed tool for those of us who want to immerse fully in the ocean of sound design. Our hands-on review will be dropping soon – so stay tuned.
New in Pigments 6:
New Modal Engine – Create physically-inspired tones using collisions or friction, from plucked strings to resonant pads.
New Filters – New options include the “analog-infused” Multimode V2, the stacked Cluster filter for swirling textures, and LoFi for crunchy, lo-fi style coloration.
New Vocoder Effect – Create classic vocal textures to avant-garde color-bass sound design, blending external input or Pigments’ engines.
New Modulators – Elevate expression by assigning different modulation values per voice, adding deeper randomness, triggering audio-driven envelope followers, and sculpting curves with the revamped Function V2.
Granular Improvements – Scan through samples mid-playback for time-stretching atmospheres, randomize grain playback for each note, and continuously adjust grain size for fluid, evolving textures.
UX & UI Enhancements – Updates include Quick Edit V2’s drag-and-drop workflow, an improved file browser, and a refreshed layout.
Pigments 6 is available now for $99 (normally $199). It’s a free update for Pigments Users.
